Apr 20 - 26, 2020

Stake Focus

North America Central Area Plan

Most announcements should be printed or electronically distributed so they do not take time in sacrament meeting; the bishopric may give essential announcements briefly before the opening hymn (see General Handbook 29.2.2.2).

From Elder Quentin L. Cook's general conference talk Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (after President Nelson's two-hour meeting block announcement), "To help members prepare for the Sabbath, some wards already send an informative email, text, or social media message midweek. In view of this adjustment, we strongly recommend this type of communication. These invitations will remind the members of the Sunday meeting schedule for that week, including the upcoming class lesson topic, and support continuing gospel conversation at home."

Announcements for Events This Week and Next Week

1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will broadcast a worldwide devotional for young adults on Sunday, May 3, 2020, at 6:00pm

• The speaker will be Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy and Sister Lynette Gay.
• The broadcast will be transmitted live on the Church satellite system, broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, YouTube, Latter-day Saint Channel (and Connected TV options such as Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV), and other media.
• All young adults (ages 18–30), whether single or married, and students who will be finishing high school or the equivalent by the end of 2020 are invited to participate.

2. Review the church's website periodically as the church provides continuing and timely updates and consolidates their announcements on this website:

3. See the Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events section below for adjusted (e.g. now being held online), cancelled, or postponed meetings and activities

4. Colorado Springs North Stake JustServe

• As we have some extra time on our hands, here are a few service projects your family can enjoy while we are spending some extra time at home.
  1. One of the most important projects right now is sewing masks for doctors, hospitals and clinics, that are having a shortage of N95-type masks to treat sick patients.
  2. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado is looking for wish list donations.
  3. Birthday Cards for the Children's Hospital
  4. Make Holiday/Monthly Decorations for Ronald McDonald House
  5. Children's Colorado at Briargate Wish List
  6. Household Supplies for Foster Homes
  7. Send a Smile Today
  8. Girls Love Mail
  9. Make Seed Sticks for Budgies at the Zoo!
  10. Make Comfort Heart Pillows for Breast Cancer Patients
  11. Letters Against Depression
  12. Hand made greeting cards for hospice patients
  13. Make Table Favors for Samaritan's Kitchen

... and many more project ideas at JustServe.org

• Neighborhood:
  1. Shovel your neighbor’s driveway
  2. Pick up trash in the neighborhood
  3. Leave a meal or treat on the doorstep for someone
  4. Draw positive messages on the sidewalks with chalk
  5. Leave a positive sticky note on neighbors’ doors
  6. Genealogy and Family History
  7. Do a surprise act of service for a family member
  8. If you are headed to the grocery store ask if your ministering families, neighbor or someone immunocompromised could use anything and drop off at the door.
  9. Set up an online appointment with Missionaries to teach you about the restoration.
  10. If you have a special skill or talent, share that through online teaching with people interested.

Continuing Announcements

1. To schedule a temple recommend renewal or BYU ecclesiastical endorsement interview, send an email to renewtemple@csnorth.org or call/text 719-491-7003
   • Temple Recommend and BYU Endorsement interviews are held on Thursday evenings at the stake offices - *** Currently Online Only! (by appointment only) to not interfere with leader/parents commitments to weekly child and youth activity nights on Tuesday and Wednesday; church dress requested
2. Colorado Springs Institute, for Young Adults (married and single), ages 18-30
   • Brothers and Sisters, here are the links for online Institute classes Thursday night:
     • Brother Romney - Mere Christianity - 6 pm
     • Brother Romney - Teachings of the Living Prophets - 7 pm
     • Brother Sorenson - Teachings and Doctrines of the Book of Mormon - 7 pm
     • Brother Ronan - How to Receive Revelation - 7 pm
     • Brother Chatelain - Teachings and Doctrines of the Book of Mormon - 7 pm
   • Brother and Sister Powell - Mission Prep - 7 pm
3. Young Single Adults (YSA), ages 18-30
   • Colorado Springs YSAs Facebook and Instagram groups
4. Middle Single Adults (MSA), ages 31-45, Events and Information
   • Colorado Springs LDS Midsingles (ages 31-45) Facebook group and email: CSMidsingles@gmail.com
5. Single Adults (SA), ages 31+, Events and Information
   • Colorado South Single Adults (CSSA) Website
   • Colorado Springs LDS Multi-Stake Single Adults 31+ Facebook group
   • Denver LDS Singles Website
   • Castle Rock LDS Singles crssingleadults@hotmail.com email
6. BYU-Pathway Worldwide
   • A one-year program that helps members of the Church start or return to college
   • Students earn 15 credits toward a degree and upon completion, may continue working toward a skills-based certificate, an Associate's degree, or a Bachelor’s degree online through BYU-Idaho – at a GREATLY reduced cost
   • Learn more and apply online or contact your local Pathway missionaries: Elder & Sister Zenger (ages 18-30) 503-290-9933 or 503-684-6073; or, Elder & Sister Riding (ages 30+) 719-761-2955.
7. Temple Ordinance Workers and Temple Volunteers are Needed at the Denver Colorado Temple
   • If interested, contact your bishop

The online stake calendar provides event details: e.g. end times, participants invited, point of contact for questions, address, reserved building room(s), setup time, cleanup time, etc.

Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events

1. On April 6th, Colorado Governor issued an updated executive order to guard against the spread of the coronavirus extended through Sunday, April 26th

2. The Lexington, Jamboree, and Monument buildings are closed until further notice

• All wards are to complete their building security assignments each evening
• All ward and stake leaders are encouraged to conduct meetings online.

3. Stake Temple Recommend and BYU Endorsement Interviews will be held via online technology

• Send an email to renewtemple@csnorth.org or call/text 719-491-7003 to make specific arrangements)

4. The following meetings and activities are cancelled or changed to Online-only due to state and church-wide announcements and removed from the stake calendar:

a. A reminder to sync your Member Tools app to align with these stake calendar changes as the app is only a snapshot of calendar/member information each time you sync; if you followed the Personal Calendar instructions below, your personal calendar will be updated automatically

• Monday, April 20
  • Cancelled: Multistake Adult Education Gospel Study Class [ML]12 - 1:30pm
  • Cancelled: Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX]6 - 8pm
  • Cancelled: Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC]6 - 7:30pm
  • Changed: USAFA Institute [USAFA]6 - 7pm to [Online]
  • Cancelled: Stake Young Single Adult Home Evening Group [JB]7 - 9pm
• Thursday, April 23
  • Changed: Institute Senior Night [JB] to [Online]
  • Changed: Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX]6 - 9pm to [Online]
  • Changed: Institute [JB]6:30 - 10pm to [Online]6pm-8:30pm
  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Women [DS]7 - 8pm to [Online]
• Saturday, April 25
  • Cancelled: Stake Family History Workshop [LX]9 - 10am
• Sun, Apr 26, 2020
  • Cancelled: Fourth Sunday: Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women (Primary held every Sunday)
  • Changed: Stake Leadership Meeting from [LX]7 - 8am to [Online]9am - 10am (for stake and ward relief society, sunday school, young women, and primary presidencies - presidents, counselors, and secretaries)
  • Changed: Stake Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women Committee Meeting [LX]3:30 - 4:30pm to [Online]
  • Cancelled: Stake Primary Activities Committee Meeting [LX]3:30 - 4:30pm
  • Changed: Ward Mission Leader Council [LX]3:30 - 4:30pm to [Online]
  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Men [JB]6 - 7pm to [Online]
• Thursday, April 30
  • Changed: BYU Women's Conference to [Online] on Friday, May 1st only
• Friday, May 1
  • Changed: BYU Women's Conference to [Online]
  • Cancelled: Stake Youth School Teacher Appreciation Night [LX]7pm-8:30pm
• Saturday, May 23
  • Cancelled: Stake Youth Fireside [FCSC], 7pm-8:30pm, at the Fountain Colorado Stake Center (FCSC)
• Sunday, May 24
  • Cancelled: LDS Baccalaureate [USAFA], 1:30pm-2:30pm at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Arnold Hall
• Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4
  • Cancelled: Stake Primary Activity [BF]
• Thursday, June 4 through Saturday, June 6
  • Postponed: Stake Deacon's Camp to Thursday, June 3 2021 through Saturday June 5, 2021
• Tuesday, June 9 through Saturday, June 13
  • Postponed: Stake Young Men Aaron's Camp to Tuesday, June 8, 2021 through Saturday, June 12, 2021

This Week: Monday, April 20th - Sunday, April 26th

Mon, Apr 20, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 20–26. Mosiah 4–6: “A Mighty Change”
• Family Home Evening
• USAFA Institute [Online]6 - 7pm

Tue, Apr 21, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 20–26. Mosiah 4–6: “A Mighty Change”

Wed, Apr 22, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 20–26. Mosiah 4–6: “A Mighty Change”

Thu, Apr 23, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 20–26. Mosiah 4–6: “A Mighty Change”
• Institute Senior Night [Online]
• Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [Online]6 - 9pm
• Institute [Online]6 - 8:30pm (see online institute class information in Announcement section above)
• Multistake Support Meeting for Women [Online]7 - 8pm

Fri, Apr 24, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 20–26. Mosiah 4–6: “A Mighty Change”

Sat, Apr 25, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 20–26. Mosiah 4–6: “A Mighty Change”

Sun, Apr 26, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 20–26. Mosiah 4–6: “A Mighty Change”
• High Council Meeting [Online]7 - 8:30am
• Stake Leadership Meeting [Online]9 - 10:15am (for stake and ward relief society, young women, primary, and sunday school presidencies - presidents, counselors, and secretaries)
• Stake Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women Committee Meeting [Online]3:30 - 4:30pm
• Ward Mission Leader Council [Online]3:30 - 4:30pm
• Multistake Support Meeting for Men [Online]6 - 7pm

Next Week: Monday, April 27th - Sunday, May 3rd

Mon, Apr 27, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 27–May 3. Mosiah 7–10: “In the Strength of the Lord”
• Family Home Evening
• Multistake Adult Education Gospel Study Class [ML]12 - 1:30pm (TBD)
• Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX]6 - 8pm (TBD)
• Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC]6 - 7:30pm (TBD)
• USAFA Institute [Online]6 - 7pm
• Stake Young Single Adult Home Evening Group [JB]7 - 9pm (TBD)

Tue, Apr 28, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 27–May 3. Mosiah 7–10: “In the Strength of the Lord”

Wed, Apr 29, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 27–May 3. Mosiah 7–10: “In the Strength of the Lord”

Thu, Apr 30, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 27–May 3. Mosiah 7–10: “In the Strength of the Lord”
• Carpet Cleaning [MN]
• Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX]6 - 9pm (TBD)
• Institute [JB]6:30 - 10pm
• Multistake Support Meeting for Women [Online]7 - 8pm

Fri, May 1, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 27–May 3. Mosiah 7–10: “In the Strength of the Lord”
• BYU Women's Conference [Online]10am - 12pm
• Multistake Single Adult Temple Night [DCT]7:30 - 9:30pm (TBD)

Sat, May 2, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 27–May 3. Mosiah 7–10: “In the Strength of the Lord”
• Stake Primary Child-of-Record Baptisms [LX, JB, MN]9am - 12pm (TBD)
• Multistake Single Adult Formal Dinner and Dance [CSESC]5:30 - 11pm (TBD)

Sun, May 3, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - April 27–May 3. Mosiah 7–10: “In the Strength of the Lord”
• Fast Sunday
• First Sunday: Sunday School (Primary held every Sunday) (TBD)
• Stake Primary Activities Committee Meeting [LX]3:30 - 4:30pm (TBD)
• Stake Bishops' Welfare Council Meeting [Online]3:30 - 4:15pm
• Meeting with Bishoprics [Online]4:15 - 5:15pm
• Multistake Support Meeting for Men [Online]6 - 7pm
• Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults [Online]6 - 7pm

2020 Ward Meeting Schedule

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All ward Sunday meetings and weekday activities are cancelled and buildings are closed for all activities until further notice (at least through April 26th per Colorado governor executive order.

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Unless an exception is noted below, all wards hold sacrament meeting first and ward weeknight activities are at the same building as Sunday meetings:

• Lexington building, 8710 Lexington Dr, Colorado Spring CO 80920
  • Cordera Ward, 8:30am - 10:30am, Tuesday weeknight activities
  • Gleneagle Ward, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities
  • Northgate Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
  • Pine Creek Ward, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities at the Jamboree building
• Monument building, 950 West Colorado Highway 105, Monument CO 80132
  • Monument Ward, 8:30am - 10:30am, Wednesday weeknight activities
  • High Forest Ward, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
  • King's Deer Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm, Wednesday weeknight activities
  • Jackson Creek Ward, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
• Black Forest building, 6950 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs CO 80908
  • [Black Forest Ward (Colorado Springs High Plains Stake), 9:00am - 11:00am, Wednesday (Jan-Jul) and Tuesday (Aug-Dec) weeknight activities]
  • Meadow Run Ward, 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Tuesday (Jan-Jul) and Wednesday (Aug-Dec) weeknight activities
• Jamboree building, 8295 Jamboree Cir, Colorado Springs CO 80920
  • [Chapel Hills Ward (Colorado Springs East Stake), 9:00am - 11:00am, Tuesday weeknight activities]
  • Cheyenne Mountain YSA Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm (sacrament meeting 11:30am, in the cultural hall), Thursday weeknight activities
  • Mount Herman YSA Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm (sacrament meeting 11:30am, in the chapel), Thursday weeknight activities
  • Pikes Peak YSA Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm (sacrament meeting 12:35pm, in the chapel), Thursday weeknight activities

Using Virtual Meeting Technologies

The ready availability of audio conferencing and video conferencing solutions allows local ecclesiastical leaders to conduct virtual meetings with councils or members while avoiding an increase in technology costs for the Church. Local leaders are encouraged to use a free, reputable solution that works best in their area. Some possible options may include:

• Google Hangouts or Google Hangouts Meet
• Zoom
• Webex
• WhatsApp
• Facebook Messenger
• Skype

These solutions should be adequate to meet most virtual meeting needs. If these tools are unfamiliar, it is recommended that leaders test their preferred solution before hosting actual meetings.

• Consider the following when selecting and using virtual meeting technologies:
• Understand the time and participant limits of your selected platform
• Use good lighting for a better video conference experience
• Minimize background noise and other potential distractions
• Encourage everyone to mute their microphones when not speaking
• Be sensitive to confidential information, and avoid recording meetings

If a leader has an account with a videoconferencing platform from their employment, they should ensure they have their employer’s approval before using that platform for Church purposes. Be aware that employer administrators may have access to personal meetings. In all cases, leaders should consider confidentiality and safeguard the personal information of members and others. Please share this information with the leaders in your wards and stake.

Member Tools App Release Notes

Release 3.6

Date Released: June 11, 2019

Membership Related

• Provided access to local unit statistics for members of the stake council.
• Removed the need to use hyphens when searching by phone number.
• Added the ability to search by email address.
• Added numerous latitude and longitude enhancements, including:
  • Ability to get directions to a member’s household location from current location.
  • Ability for members to map their household location.
  • Ability to copy latitude and longitude.

Issues Resolved

• Resolved issues with spaces in password.
• Resolved problems encountered when entering long phone numbers.
• Additional bug fixes and performance improvements.

Member Tools App previous release notes

Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) Release Notes

Release 4.8

Date Released: January 1, 2020

New or Enhanced Functionality

Finance Related

• Added the “Budget” menu. Leaders can now view the summary of their assigned budget.
• Bishops’ orders now appear along with fast-offering transactions on the “Participant” menu, if applicable.

Membership Related

• Sacrament meeting attendance can be recorded weekly using Leader and Clerk Resources by selecting Sacrament Meeting Attendance in the “Reporting” menu.
• System changes that support changes announced in youth and Primary organizations:
  • Aaronic Priesthood organization changes at the ward level are now reflected.
  • Scouting organization and callings have been retired.
  • Primary activities leaders can now be recorded.
• The ability to view organization budgets is now available to organization presidencies through the “Finance” menu option.

Issues Resolved

• Additional bug fixes and performance improvements.

Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) previous release notes

Personal Calendar: Synchronize your personal calendar with ward and stake calendar events

You can automatically synchronize the events from your ward and stake calendar with your personal Google, Microsoft Outlook, or Apple calendar. Updates made to events in your Church calendar will be reflected in the sync'd calendar.

To setup your phone, tablet, or computer, go to churchofjesuschrist.org, Church Calendar, Sync, select the type of calendar you use (Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, or Apple Calendar), and follow the instructions.

This has the advantage as items are added, deleted, and modified on the ward and stake calendar, they are instantly updated on your personal calendar.

• The Member Tools app has the drawback that:
  1. it is only synchronized every 30 days, unless the user manually synchronizes it
  2. it is not integrated with your personal calendar for viewing on one screen
  3. the web links listed in some of the calendar events can be directly clicked on to open the web page from the event in your personal calendar, but not in the Member Tools app.

Official General Conference addresses, and BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, and BYU-Hawaii speeches.

Official Newsroom and Church News announcements and articles of interest to our stake.

New videos from the church from the Book of Mormon Videos, HopeWorks, ComeUntoChrist.org, Latter-day Saints Channel, Video Series: Give Back, His Grace, Gospel Solutions for Families, Inspirational Messages, Inspirational Messages for Youth, The Daily, etc. -- inspirational stories, news, events, quotes from Church leaders, and more for your daily uplift.

The church’s Official Communication Library messages may contain confidential or privileged information and are only accessible by and for the use of the individual(s) addressed in the letter/policy.

New This Past Week

• Notice, 17 April 2020: Missionary Fund Adjustments
  • Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic there will be missionary fund adjustments.
• First Presidency letter, 16 April 2020: Administrative Principles in Challenging Times
  • Included with this letter are documents that explain administrative principles for the Church during challenging times. Directions are enclosed for essential ordinances, blessings, and other Church functions.
• First Presidency letter, 14 April 2020: Opportunities to Address COVID-19 Needs
  • We are joining with other organizations around the world to address specific needs related to the pandemic.
• Notice, 13 April 2020: 2020 FSY Conferences in the U.S. and Canada Postponed until 2021
  • Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences scheduled to be held in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 have been postponed until 2021.

Selection of Previously Released

• Notice, 10 April 2020: May 2020 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults
  • Includes the worldwide broadcast schedule for the Church satellite system and other media. Speaker: Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy and Sister Lynette Gay.
• First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles letter, 31 March 2020: Additional Adjustments to Missionary Service
  • We are making available two opportunities for missionary service for those who have returned and are awaiting reassignment or may yet be required to return to the U.S. and Canada.
• First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles letter, 26 March 2020: Further Adjustments to Missionary Service
  • Adjustments to terms of service for missionaries brought back early to the United States and Canada.
• First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles letter, 20 March 2020: Further Adjustments to Missionary Service
  • Further temporary adjustments to missionary work.
• Notice, 20 March 2020: Further Adjustments to Missionary Service
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes very seriously the health and safety of its missionaries and of those they teach. In response to the rapidly developing travel advisories and restrictions that are emerging around the world and that present significant logistical and other challenges, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have approved the following temporary adjustments:
• Notice, 16 March 2020: Temporary Changes to Missionary Service
  • In response to rapidly changing conditions throughout the world, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have approved the following guidelines affecting missionary service.
• First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles letter, 12 March 2020: Public Gatherings of Church Members
  • Beginning immediately, all public gatherings of Church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice.